THE MISSING DREDGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15922, 7 May 1912, Page 8

THE MISSING DREDGE.

AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. WARSHIPS RETURN TO AUCKLAND. [Peb Press Association.] AUCKLAND/ May 6. The cruisers Encounter and Pioneer returned to port this morning after having conducted a fruitless search for the missing dredge Manchester. Captain Hickey, of the' Encounter, this morning said that the Challenger had searched the western portion from Sydney. The .Encounter searched between* 32deg south and 40deg south. Tho method of procedure adopted by the vessel was to move on lines parallel to the trade route between Wellington and Sydney. The area was thoroughly covered between North Cape and Sydney, and the Encounter was in constant communication with merchant ships, which had been instructed to keep a sharp look-out for tho Manchester. The Pioneer covered an area to the northward of North Capo and Sydnej', but as with other vessels, saw nothing of the dredge. Captain Hickey states that on rounding Cape Maria Van Diemon. on the outward voyage, a very heavy sou'-westerly gale was met with, and big seas swept the decks almost constantly. The gale increased' in violence, and it was some time before bhe weather moderated again. He is of opinion that if the dredge had been disabled in such weather there would be no chance of her remaining afloat. There was no possibility of an open boat liv-, ing in such a sea. OPINION AT THE PORT. NAUTICAL MEN GIVING UP HOPE. The return to Auckland of the warships Encounter and Pioneer after a fruitless search for the dredge Manchester was the subject of much comment by nautical men yesterday. Many had honed that tho warships would be able to" clear up the mystery of her whereabouts, but now the most experienced of seafarers regard the chances .of finding the vessel afloat as extremely remote. When she left Lyttelton over a month ago the Manchester was well equipped with boats and life-saving appliancts, and her purchasers spared no expense in looking after the comfort of thoso on board. But in view of the weather that has been experienced for the past month it is feared that the craft has been unable to combat the elements. The year 1912 bids fair to be one of the most tragic on record as far as shinning is concerned, for a return published by Lloyd's a few weeks ago phowed that the amount paid out in insurance for the first three months was greatly in excess of payments for many years. Tlie officers and crew of the Manchester are as follow :—Master, J. Downie ; chief mate, L. Schultz ; second mate. A. Baxter; chief engineer, J. Sidall; second engineer, A. J. Avers; third engineer, J. W. Crombie; A.B.'s, T. Dalley, D. Rodecrs, G. Easson, P. Prophet, O. Augustm and S. W. Christie; seamen. S. J. Gilray and S. Anderson; greasers, J. White, A. Blundell and R. W. Aldridge: firemen, H. O'Neill, J. Galbraith, E. Pitts, C. M'Derinot and G. Lambert; steward, J. M'Oueen; cook, R. Wallace. Mrs "Sidall, wife of the chief engineer, accompanied her husband on the vovage, signing on as stewardess. Captain James Downie, master of the 1 Manchester, is married. He was, for some years, an officer on the Union Company's steamers, and prior to joining tho dredge a.cted as assistant wharfinger at Lyttclton. Mr L. Shultz, mate, came to Lyttelton a few months ago as mate of the small steamer John. Mr A. Baxter, second mate, held a like position on the new dredge Canterbury on her voyage from Renfrew to Lyttelton. He hails from Aberdeen. Mr T. Sidall, chief engineer, has had considerable experience on dredges. He was on the staff of tho Sydney Harbour Trust, and came to Lyttelton to ' take charge of the ongine-room. Mr A. J. Ayers, second engineer, belongs to Christchurch. Mr J, W. Crombie, third engineer, came to Lyttelton in the now dredge Canterbury. He is a native of Shcerness, and served bis apprenticeship with Messrs W. Simons and Oomp-my, builder*, of tho Canterbury. J. M'Quoen, steward on the Manchester, belongs to Wick, Scotland. D. Rogers, one of the seamen, is a native of Scotland. Ordinary Seaman S. J. Gilray, is a son of Mr S. Gilray, of Lyttelton. and S. Anderson, seaman, and J. White, greaser, also hail from Lvttelton. ' .